What is the difference between joint and sole decision-making in Ontario?

Joint decision-making responsibility means both parents share authority over major decisions affecting the child — schooling, healthcare, religion, and significant extracurricular commitments. Both parents must communicate and agree before a decision is made. It requires a reasonable level of cooperation and communication between the parents.

Sole decision-making responsibility means one parent has the authority to make those major decisions without needing the other parent's agreement. The other parent typically still has a right to be informed about decisions and to receive information from schools and healthcare providers, but they do not have a veto.

Courts in Ontario favour arrangements that serve the child's best interests. Joint decision-making can work well when parents communicate respectfully and are geographically close. It tends to break down when there is significant conflict, a history of domestic violence, or one parent consistently refusing to engage. In those cases, courts may order sole decision-making to spare the child from ongoing disputes.

Joint decision-making does not mean equal parenting time, and sole decision-making does not mean the other parent disappears. They are separate questions.